Unmasked Desire Read online

  “Do you want to miss the whole party?” Even as I asked it, I knew the answer. Of course, she did. But I didn’t want her to use sex with me as a distraction, or a diversion from her fears.

  There would be plenty of time for that, after the party.

  Angela smirked. “It was worth a shot.”

  “After. We’ll go back to my place, and I’ll make you forget about anyone in masks.”

  She took my hand and led me upstairs. “Do your makeup magic.”

  She sat on a chair in her bathroom, and I set up on her bathroom counter. But this time, I didn’t go for zombie makeup.

  With that dress, she needed something different.

  Carefully, I transformed her into a beautiful, deadly vampire. Complete with a pair of fangs we fitted perfectly onto her teeth. I topped off the look by carefully painting on the shape of a mask in the same color as her burgundy dress, and matching lips.

  Angela stared at herself in the mirror. She wasn’t even dressed yet, but she could’ve gone in her robe and still been the most incredible creature I’d ever seen.

  “You didn’t make me a zombie.”

  “Zombies are mindless. Ugly. You’re too smart, too sexy to be a zombie.” And I want you to stand out among our dancers.

  She smiled the tips of her fangs just visible. “You just want to get bit.”

  “Maybe I’ll be the one doing the biting tonight.” I winked at her and pointed at the dress. “Come on, we’ve got to get going soon, if you’re going to get one last run through everything before people start showing up.”

  I laced her into her corset, pulling it as tight as I dared without cutting off her ability to breathe.

  She looked incredible. For someone who didn’t like Halloween, she looked like a Halloween goddess, ready to trick unwilling victims and offer treats to those worthy of her time.

  “Okay, I’m going to grab my stuff from the car. Give me ten minutes and we’ll go.”

  Angela led the way down the stairs. Somehow, between the costume, the makeup, the hair, and her determination, she took on the air of a sophisticated Victorian lady.

  And she just made me want to ruffle her composure, tease the sex goddess I knew her to be right out of those tight corset laces.

  As soon as I was dressed in an old-fashioned tux with a simple black mask waiting to be put on, we headed to the event center.

  It was just a few minutes before the party was due to start, but when Angela stepped into the main room, she gasped and stared.

  The wall behind the stage was set up with a huge black façade of a Victorian house, and I’d rigged a few projectors to let ghosts dance in and out of the windows all night, adding to the creepy factor. Tables draped in black and spiderwebs were lined up along the opposite wall, piled high with Halloween treats. Cauldrons full of candy were placed strategically around the room, just at the right height so kids and adults alike could stop and snack.

  One corner of the hall was curtained off with heavy black curtains. I’d purposely chosen the space because it was close enough to the doors the kids could duck behind the curtain and get a last-minute touch-up of their makeup, and out of the way enough most people would leave it alone.

  Pumpkins, fog machines, and orange twinkle lights finished off the look.

  “It’s more than I could’ve ever hoped for.” She looked over at me and grinned. “Thank you. Really.”

  “It was all your idea. I just pulled it together with some of my Halloween master expertise.”

  I led her through the event center, to a set of double doors that led to a few smaller rooms and the restrooms.

  The band had already been informed to announce her five minutes after seven, so we could officially kick off the party and welcome everyone in.

  Which meant five minutes of trying to keep my hands, my lips, off my beautiful vampire.

  “You’re staring.”

  I smirked. “Trying to behave myself.” I leaned in close. “Mistress Bartell.”

  I wondered idly if I could convince her to keep the fangs and the makeup once I got her out of the dress. Something about her in Halloween makeup made me want to bow to her demands.

  She glanced at the time, and then pointed at an empty room. “How quickly could you put that tongue to work?”

  I shook my head, even though I desperately wanted to. I was already risking walking into the main room with a noticeable bulge in my tux pants; I didn’t need the taste of her pussy all over my tongue guaranteeing it. “Later, Angela. I promise.”

  She raised an eyebrow at me and then crooked her finger at me, luring me in close. “I’ll hold you to that.”

  The music started playing, and a moment later, I heard the lead singer say, “And now, your Mistress of Mayhem, Queen of the Undead, Mayor Angela Bartell!”

  “That’s your cue.” I hooked her arm with mine and led her out into the hall.

  Into the waiting crowd of masked friends and strangers.

  Angela stiffened next to me, but she kept her composure, kept the smile on her face, as she took the stage and reached for the microphone.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen, Ghouls, Goblins, and Ghosts, I want to welcome you to the Annual Jubilee Falls Halloween Masquerade.” I could tell she’d rehearsed the greeting, making sure she didn’t miss a beat. “Beware the tricks, enjoy the treats, and don’t underestimate a surprise or two.” She handed the mic over to the singer again and strode off the stage.

  I doubted anyone but me could see the shaking in her shoulders, the quivering in her fingers, or the unsteady gate as she stepped back.

  “Come on. Let’s dance. You can close your eyes, let me lead, and no one will be the wiser.” I pulled her into my arms as a haunting rendition of Sweet Dreams started playing.

  Angela clung to me, her whole body tense, her breathing shallow and quick. I could feel her trembling, and not the fun kind of trembling where she was eager for me to make her come.

  “Angela, you need to take a deep breath.” Even under her makeup I could see she’d gone pale. “You need to calm down.” There was a sheen of sweat breaking out over her flawless skin. “I’m right here. Nothing’s going to hurt you.”

  Shit. Maybe planning the surprise with the kids was too much. She was already freaking out, and we’d barely started the evening.

  I wanted to press my lips to hers, to make her forget anything but me.

  But I didn’t want to make a spectacle of her or our romance and embarrass her. I’d also muss her makeup, and we had a long night ahead of us.

  Instead, I pulled her in a little tighter and murmured in her ear, “When this party’s over, I’m going to make you forget anything except me. I’m going to fuck you so hard you won’t want to move from my bed for at least a week. And I’m going to taste that sweet, wet pussy of yours until you’re screaming my name and you can’t see straight from the number of orgasms I give you.”

  Angela let out a soft moan against my ear and dug her fingernails into my shoulder. “Why wait? Let’s go now.” Her voice was desperate, but not for me, for us to leave.

  I dropped my voice into a lower register, the one that always came out when I wanted something from her, needed something. “After the party, Angela. If you keep trying to tempt me to take you sooner, I might just have to punish you before I let you get off.”

  This line of thinking was a bad idea. All it was going to lead to was both of us desperate and out of control, but if it kept her from running from the ballroom, maybe it would be worth it.

  The song ended, and I brushed a soft kiss over her neck. “Go greet your constituents. Mingle some. I’ll be watching over you. I promise, you’re safe, as long as I’m around.”

  I didn’t want to leave. I hardly wanted her out of my sight, any more than she wanted to go. But I had work to do, and I had to do it quickly, if we were going to pull off the flash mob.

  We had less than half an hour to get everyone ready and into position before the band started playing Thril
ler, and I needed to get everyone’s last minute makeup touches done and make sure I could grab Angela just before the performance began.

  I’d do a quick-change makeup, swapping the beautiful vampire for a zombie queen, and we’d step out at the end of the song together to take a bow.

  I couldn’t wait for her reaction.

  13

  Angela

  The moment I was out of Colton’s arms, I knew it was a bad idea. I hated feeling like I needed him to survive the ball. What kind of mayor couldn’t handle a masquerade?

  I hardly wanted to be at the party in the first place but being here was worse than anything I’d imagined before tonight. Every fear I’d been trying to pretend didn’t exist, was coming to life right in front of me.

  Most of the town had shown up, and all of them in masks. Every single one.

  I smiled and shook hands as I moved through the crowds, looking for a friendly face, someone I recognized, someone who would be an ally as I faced down the crowds.

  But everywhere I turned, there was a new mask, a new hidden face.

  I thought masquerade masks would be easier.

  I was so, so wrong.

  Nothing could make masks easier.

  Nothing except Colton, and he had disappeared.

  The memory of realizing the people behind the masks were people I knew, trusted. Who could I trust? Could I even trust Colton? Where was Tru? What had Colton and Cora been up to? What secrets were they keeping from me?

  I picked up a glass of punch, sipping the sweet concoction slowly as I tried to stay calm.

  Breathe in.

  Breathe out.

  I kept focusing on my breath, trying to keep my heart rate down.

  Why hadn’t I thought to bring my anti-anxiety meds?

  I’d had a standing prescription for years, even though I only needed them around Halloween.

  “Nice party, Lady Mayor.”

  Even though only one person ever called me that, the tone he used, coupled with the lifelike demon mask that covered most of his face, made me question whether he was actually the intern from my office, or if someone else was fucking with me.

  “Thanks. I’m glad you’re having fun.” I slipped past him, trying to find a clear spot on the wall where I could stand and breathe for a minute.

  But everywhere I turned, there were more masks.

  They were enclosing around me, blocking me from an exit.

  Or maybe the room was spinning, trying to throw me off kilter.

  Were the walls closing in?

  I pinched myself, hoping against hope this was just a bad dream. That I could wake myself up and I’d be in bed with Colton. On November first.

  But no. It wasn’t a dream.

  It was real.

  And everywhere I turned, these white masks, decorated with swaths of lace and brocade, sparkly glitter, and gemstones were moving closer.

  Where was Tru?

  God, where was Colton?

  I couldn’t do this. I thought I could. But there were too many people, too many masks.

  I needed to get out. I needed fresh air. Anything but this party.

  “Great costume, Mayor.” Margot Weathers smiled at me, her mask held away from her face on a stick allowing for it not to be a fixture on her face.

  Why didn’t more people have those? Maybe then, I could’ve handled this easier.

  “Thanks, Margot. You look great too.” She wore bright red, and the costume hugged her curves. “Have you seen Colton Black or Tru Manifold?”

  She shook her head. “Sorry. But it’s so hard to tell who anyone is in all these masks. Maybe check by the catering tables?”

  I nodded, but the room was already starting to spin as more of those white masks moved closer.

  They had to be coming closer. Surrounding me. Closing in.

  Everywhere I turned was another mask.

  It was like I was getting herded.

  I stumbled, tripping over my long dress, as I backed up toward the wall.

  I had to put something at my back. I had to at least have one side the masks couldn’t close in from.

  I gripped my skirts, lifting the heavy fabric as I turned my head this way and that, watching everyone fervently.

  My heart was in my throat, pounding a mile a minute. My skin was clammy and too hot. I could hardly breathe.

  Why the hell had I thought a corset would be a good idea?

  There it was.

  The wall.

  A solid black wall, and my salvation.

  I’d just stand there. All night if I had to. People could come up to me. I could fight people one-by-one, if I had to. As long as they couldn’t ambush me.

  The corner would’ve been better.

  As I backed into the wall, what should’ve been solid gave way.

  It shifted and folded around me, until one strong arm wrapped around my middle.

  A hand slid over my mouth, and with every ounce of breath I had in me, I screamed.

  Through the black swirling space around me, somewhere in the background, the first notes of Thriller started to play.

  14

  Colton

  A few minutes earlier…

  As I left Angela on the dance floor, surrounded by townspeople dressed in Victorian finery, I waved at a couple of the kids, trying to gather them up and get them to the staging area to get their makeup touched up.

  At the final rehearsal yesterday, Tru, Cora, and I decided the flash mob would have more effect if the kids spread out throughout the dance floor, making it more of an immersive experience. It would be far more show-stopping, but it also meant I had a smaller window to pull everything together.

  “All right, are we ready to go out there and surprise everyone?” I grinned at the excited group of kids in full zombie makeup.

  “Remember, the goal is to blend in when you get out there, move through the crowd until you get to your positions. When you hear the first notes, that’s when the masks come off, and you show everyone your awesome makeup.” I gave each kid a high-five as they headed out of the curtains and into the crowd.

  Micah was the last one to leave, and he smiled at me softly before he put on his mask. “Thank you, Mr. Black. Mom would’ve really liked this party.”

  I hadn’t heard from Cora if there was any news on Micah’s mother, but I doubted he’d be here if there was something wrong. I just hoped she’d at least make it through Halloween, so her passing wouldn’t taint the boy’s impressions of the holiday. Through the rest of the year even. Who I was kidding? I wanted a miracle. My mother wasn’t a miracle, but maybe Micah’s could be.

  As Cora and Tru headed out, I peeked through the curtains, looking for Angela.

  Her burgundy dress was nowhere to be seen, but I’d asked Tru to help guide her toward the curtain before the song started.

  Not even Cora and Tru knew what I had planned for Angela once the music began.

  There she was. Talking to a woman in red. I couldn’t tell from where I stood, but it looked like it might’ve been Margot.

  The bartender took her leave, and then Angela started backing toward me.

  Not the safest way to move through a crowd, but I’d take it.

  She stumbled once and I wondered if she was doing okay. Had the evening gotten to her?

  But she corrected, and kept backing up, step by cautious step, until she was nearly within reach.

  I expected her to turn around, but instead, she just kept backing up.

  Until we were tangled in the curtains.

  I wrapped an arm around her middle and brought my other hand up to move the curtain out of the way.

  But then she started to scream.

  The first notes of Thriller drowned out the sound, but as I pulled Angela back behind the curtain with me, I muffled her screams with my hand as I tried to quiet her down.

  “Stop screaming, Angela. I’m not going to hurt you.”

  I shrugged the curtains off us and pulled her further into the m
akeshift staging area.

  Angela’s screams stopped.

  As I held her against me, I waited for her to regain her balance and step away from me.

  But something was wrong.

  She wasn’t fighting.

  She collapsed into me, her body turning into dead weight.

  “Angela?” I shook her gently in my arms, trying to get some response.

  Slowly, I lowered her to the ground, trying to remember where my phone was. I needed help. Tru, the hospital, Cora, anyone.

  Angela’s breath was too fast.

  I shook her again, and then checked her pulse. It was racing, moving so fast it almost felt like it was vibrating instead of beating.

  And she was pale. So pale.

  I got up, throwing makeup and brushes and sponges around, searching for my phone. For some way to call for help. My vision was blurred with tears. She needed help and I was failing her.

  This was just supposed to be a fun surprise, something to make the night extra special. I wanted the masquerade to be memorable.

  I wanted Angela to be a success.

  I wanted her to get past her fears and be stronger for it. Instead, I created an entire ballroom full of her worst fears.

  And this all felt too familiar.

  I was ten years old again, alone in the house with my mother, who’d just collapsed. There were no warnings, nothing could’ve prepared me then.

  And now, I was just as helpless.

  I stepped on a piece of fabric and I went sailing backward. I hit the ground hard and smacked my head. I laid there for a second remembering my mom’s listless body and how green and pale her skin looked. Like she was a zombie.

  And the room stilled, and I regained my faculties again, I flipped over, fighting through the dizziness and crawled over to Angela who was still unconscious.

  I crawled over and laid down next to her, taking her hand in mine. Her hand was cold to the touch and limp. I never should’ve encouraged her to go to this party after everything she’d been through. I never should’ve left her side. Or at least made sure there was someone with her at all times. What had I been thinking? If she was a kid, I never would’ve allowed it.